Waterfalls..

Ampelos Village, Samos

Panorama St. John..

Miliopo Beach Ιkaria

Fourni Island..

Environment

Samos

Samos is characterized as an island of incomparable beauty because it combines mountain and sea. Apart from unique beaches with crystal clear waters, it features lush mountains, hiking trails, climbing fields, caves and gorges. More than 40 routes among dense pine forests offer a unique opportunity to observe the diverse fauna and flora of the island. Mount Kerkis, like Mount Ampelos (the two mountain ranges of the island) have a rich fauna and are home to over 1400 species of endemic and rare plants.

Fascinating tours to picturesque paved paths through forests, moist ravines, vineyards and picturesque villages perched on mountainsides, reveal the harmonic coexistence of man and nature. These virgin places of wild and breathtaking beauty are ideal for those who love nature and climbing.

It is also worth mentioning that Samos because of the geological composition of its soil (limestone) has a lot of caves and chasms, which is a rare phenomenon for an island. The energetic Speleologyl Association of Samos has recorded and explored some 80 natural caves of different sizes, with rich and unique stalagmite and stalactite formations, which unfortunately are not yet open to visitors. To learn more about the caves of Samos go to: www.samos-caves.gr.

Habitat of Alyki

The habitat of Alyki, in the east of the island, is an important stopover for many migratory bird species. It is located at the eastern side of Samos island, a short distance from the coast of Asia Minor. The habitat has a total area of 42 hectares, out of which 35 hectares is the area of old Alyki and the remaining 7 hectares are a wetland. Alyki (Greek for salt pond) used to be a place of salt extraction. In 1965 its operation ceased. Alyki became a habitat and now, besides its aesthetic value it has a greater ecological importance because it is a rare habitat compared to other Aegean islands. The site’s quality and importance mainly lie in the large number of birds that visit or reproduce every year in the habitat. The area has been recognized as a habitat in the list issued by the Greek Biotope-Wetland Centre (EKBY), is included in CORINE and NATURA 2000 sites and is designated as a Protected Area in the island’s Land Use Planning. Mammals living in the habitat: hedgehogs, hares, black rats, jackals, martens. Amphibians and reptiles: green toads, marsh frogs, pond turtles, Greek tortoises, chameleons, water snakes, vipers, lizards etc. Birds: 127 bird species have been recorded, including little egrets, flamingos, glossy ibises, ruddy shelducks, common shelducks, chukar partridges, short-toed snake eagles, long-legged buzzards, black-winged stilts, whiskered terns etc. many of which are classified as rare or endangered.

Waterfalls

Another pleasant surprise you will find on the island are the natural waterfalls in Karlovasi. A picturesque path with very good signs will ensure access from Potami to the first one of the waterfalls. To reach the next – and largest one – you will have to climb up 60 wooden steps leading to a glade with a wonderful view, and the more daring could use ropes to climb through the river. The great waterfall of Karlovasi is about five meters high and offers you the chance to swim in the cool waters of the small pond formed at its base.

Mount Ampelos

The mountain was named “Ampelos” after the numerous vineyards (“ampelia”) cultivated in the area since ancient times. This mountain was formerly known in Samos by the name of “Karvounis” (coal mountain). Ambelos extends to the central and eastern part of Samos occupying a much greater area than Kerkis. “It’s the mountain that makes the entire island mountainous”, Strabo writes. Its highest peak is Profitis Elias with an altitude of 1153 m. and around that peak there are more with an altitude higher than 1000 meters, such as Gkinaioi and Lazaros.

Terraces or “pezoules” in Greek are typical of the area; they are an ancient method still used by the locals to face soil erosion due to the highly sloping terrain. The average altitude of the mountain is 900 m. Ampelos has a very lush vegetation. Pines are dominant – Turkish pines at lower areas and black pines at higher ones, a remnant of the ice age that forms extensive monotonous forests – alternating with terraced vineyards. You will also find cypresses, oaks, chestnuts and other types of trees along with shrubs, bushes and geophytes, in the most arid and rocky areas. Overall, the area is ecologically significant because it is home to many endemic and very rare plants. For example, we quote from the books of D. Christodoulakis “Flora and vegetation of Samos”, Patras 1986 and G. Sfikas “Botanical heavens of Greece” the following:

Otherrarespecies: Aristolochia parviflora, Campanula lyrata, Colchicum boisieri, Galanthus elwesii, Hesperis laciniata, Iris suaveolens, Paeonia mascula subsp mascula, Salvia tomentosa. The Ambelos mountain has been recorded by EKBY since 1995 and is included in the CORINE and NATURA 2000 sites with code GR 4120002 (Type B), and is also protected by the Land Use Planning scheme, since the area is marked as B (i.e. a nature protection area).

IKARIA

The location of Ikaria, the alternations in its landscape geomorphology and the great variety of habitats (marine, rocky, forest) favour biodiversity. The Atheras mountain range and the south west side of Ikaria – areas designated as Special Protection Areas by the NATURA 2000 Network – host numerous endemic and rare plants, such as the Turkish pine, the scorpion senna, the Iberis runemarkii and the peony (Paeonia mascula cariensis). Rich birdlife, such as sparrowhawks, white-tailed eagles, yelkouan shearwaters, Audouin’s gulls, Bonelli’s eagles, peregrine falcons. Bats, such as the protected species of the horseshoe bat, the lesser mouse-eared myotis and Geoffroy’s bat, and reptiles – snakes and lizards – as rocky areas are ideal for their living.

The Chalaris canyon

The canyon of Chalaris, the largest river in Ikaria, is surrounded by clusters of plane trees and ends at the archaeological site of Nas. It has been designated as a NATURA 2000 site and is an ideal habitat for numerous protected and endemic species. The canyon is crossed by the Nas-Raches trail, which has been marked by SCI Hellas volunteers and the Citizens’ Movement of Raches, Ikaria. The stone bridge and the 45-meter high Ratsos waterfall that feeds a gorgeous natural pond stand out along the trail.

Mammals living in the habitat: hedgehogs, otters.Amphibians and reptiles: Turkish stellion lizards, freshwater crabs.Birds: migratory birds, such as the Eleonora’s falcon, the Little Egret and the Little Bittern.

The Ranti forest

The “Ranti Forest” is located in central mountainous Ikaria, covers an area of ​​16 sq. km. and is one of the last oak forests in the Aegean and one of the oldest in Europe. The oak forest is mainly dominated by holm oaks (over 300 years old), and we can also find strawberry trees, Greek strawberry trees and heather. It has recently been designated as a “Protected Natural Monument”.

Mammals living in the habitat: protected beech martens or “Atsida” (Greek for smart), hedgehogs, several species of rodents.

FOURNOI

The cluster of islands is rich in biodiversity and is included in the NATURA 2000 network because of its interesting flora and fauna. The coasts of the islands -126 km long- are characterized by typical habitats of steep rocks, reefs and sea caves. The vegetation is dominated by various kinds of herbs, bushes and olive trees, and the mandrake, “the alchemists’ root” with the legendary aphrodisiac properties, also has a prominent presence in the area.

In the area you can find the Mediterranean monk seal (Monachus monachus), many species of dolphins, sea turtles, amphibians and reptiles, as well as chukar partridges. It is the breeding site of Eleonora’s falcons, peregrine falcons and Bonelli’s eagles.